We Tested the Most Popular Packing Cubes on the Market
If you constantly sit on your suitcase to force the zipper shut, packing cubes might look like the perfect solution. We put the most popular packing cubes on the market to the test to see which ones actually save luggage space and which ones just add unnecessary weight to your bag.
The Difference Between Organization and Compression
Before looking at specific brands, you need to understand the two main types of packing cubes available today.
Standard packing cubes act like small drawers for your suitcase. They keep your socks away from your shirts and make unpacking incredibly easy. However, standard cubes do not actually save space. In fact, the extra fabric and zippers can sometimes take up slightly more room.
Compression packing cubes are built differently. They feature a second zipper that runs along the outside of the cube. Once you fill the cube and zip it closed, you pull this secondary zipper around the perimeter. This action physically squishes the clothes together, squeezing out trapped air and reducing the volume of the cube by up to 40 percent. If your primary goal is saving luggage space, you absolutely need compression cubes.
How We Evaluated the Cubes
To find out which products perform best, we packed each set with the exact same load of clothing: three t-shirts, two pairs of jeans, a thick cotton sweater, and four pairs of socks. We graded the cubes based on three strict criteria:
- Zipper Strength: When compressing clothes, the zipper takes all the tension. We looked for durable YKK zippers that glide smoothly without snagging the surrounding fabric.
- Material Durability: Thin materials save weight but can tear easily. We tested the fabric for stretch, water resistance, and overall toughness.
- Actual Space Saved: We measured the height of the packed cubes before and after compression to find the true space-saving champions.
Top Pick for Saving Space: Peak Design Packing Cubes
Peak Design makes our absolute favorite compression packing cubes. A medium cube costs around $45 and is built from a self-healing ripstop nylon canvas. This material is incredibly thin but incredibly strong.
The compression zippers on the Peak Design cubes are flawless. Even when we overpacked the medium cube with our test clothing, the zipper pulled closed smoothly and reduced the overall height by nearly two inches. We also loved the unique tear-away main zipper, which allows you to rip the cube open instantly to access your clothes. Additionally, these cubes feature a separate internal compartment to store dirty clothes away from clean ones.
Best Lightweight Option: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate
Eagle Creek has been a major name in travel gear for decades. Their Pack-It Isolate cubes are designed for travelers who count every single ounce in their backpack. A small Isolate cube weighs less than one ounce.
Eagle Creek uses a highly translucent ripstop fabric. You can easily see exactly what is packed inside without opening the zipper. Furthermore, Eagle Creek treats the fabric with Protx2, an antimicrobial agent formulated to stop odor-causing bacteria. If you frequently travel with damp gym clothes or sweaty hiking gear, these cubes will keep the rest of your luggage smelling fresh. While the Isolate line does not feature compression zippers, their incredibly thin profile ensures they take up zero extra space in your bag.
Best Budget Value: Shacke Pak
If you are not ready to spend fifty dollars on a single packing cube, Shacke Pak is a phenomenal alternative. You can find a four-piece set on Amazon for around $22, and the set even includes a separate laundry bag.
Shacke Pak makes standard organizational cubes rather than compression cubes. They use a thicker water-resistant nylon material and feature a large mesh panel on the front for breathability. While they will not magically shrink your bulky winter sweaters, they performed perfectly for keeping our test luggage organized. The double stitching along the seams held up beautifully when we stuffed them full.
Best Structured Design: Monos Compressible Packing Cubes
Monos is famous for its sleek hardside luggage, and their compressible packing cubes share that same premium aesthetic. A set of four cubes costs about $90.
Unlike the floppy nylon bags from other brands, the Monos cubes use a structured nylon twill that holds its shape even when empty. They stand upright on their own. When we tested the compression zippers on the Monos cubes, we noticed the rigid sides prevented the cube from turning into a lumpy ball. The clothes stayed perfectly flat inside, which dramatically reduced the amount of wrinkles on our cotton t-shirts.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Space in Your Cubes
Even the best compression packing cube will fail if you pack it incorrectly. During our testing, we discovered a few simple techniques to get the most out of your gear.
First, always roll your clothes instead of folding them. Rolling pushes air out of the fabric and creates a tight, uniform shape that fits perfectly into the corners of a packing cube.
Second, alternate the direction of bulky items. If you pack a pair of jeans, the waistband is the thickest part. Place the waistband of the first pair on the left side of the cube, and the waistband of the second pair on the right side. This keeps the cube level and prevents awkward bulging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do packing cubes actually save space? Standard packing cubes only organize your items, but compression packing cubes physically shrink the volume of your clothes. A high-quality compression cube can save between 30 and 40 percent of the space in your suitcase.
Are packing cubes worth the extra weight? Yes. Modern packing cubes from brands like Eagle Creek and Peak Design are made from ultra-lightweight ripstop nylon. An entire set usually weighs less than four ounces, which is completely negligible even under strict airline weight limits.
Can I wash my packing cubes? Most nylon packing cubes are safe to clean. You should wash them by hand in cold water with a mild detergent and let them air dry. Putting them in a hot washing machine or dryer can warp the compression zippers or damage the water-resistant coatings.